Logging and Offline for P2 HD

[KnowReason]

Hello All,

I read this site often and I can't be thankful enough for everything from advice to banter. However, this is my first time posting, so here it goes.

I'm shooting a documentary in 2006 and I'm considering the HVX. I'm trying to sell my financers on using FCP dual core with DLT Back Up.

Shooting DVCPROHD, Logging meta data, downconverting to DVCPRO50 (for an offline), Creating MPEG2 (for transcription from DVD dailies) from DVCPRO50

I would then back up Master HD clips to DLT (to be stored offsite), and back up the DVCPRO50 and correpsonding MPEG 2 to another DLT. In this model I have the DLT labels worked out so that looking them up is as simple as possible (for example DLT_HD_#1 and DLT_HD_#2 correspond to DLT_SD_#1...most likely based on Date Recorded).

Another good thing for you to know before I get to my actual questions is that we will be filming over the course of 2006, so the editor will be able to handle logging, editing, and transcribing at a reasonable enough pace to pull this off. We won't start the meat of the edit until late September (an offline in DVCPRO50) and we won't be mastering for a while after that.

So my questions are:

1. When I downconvert to DVCPRO50 through FCP can I retain the metadata and logging notes from the original .MXF HD Files?

2. Does FCP, or anyone for that matter, have software that will allow me to preview and trim the source clips without having to bring them into a project time line? Sort of like what an assitant editor does when logging and capturing tape. IS it too much to ask for a simple playback, trim, and file management software?

3. Is their any software (ala cinemtools) or possibly something in the .MXF file itself with which I can go back to easily identify and link my offline DVCPRO50 clips with my online DVCPROHD Clips?

4. Any general suggestions and pitfalls or improvements to this process?

Sorry that took so damn long; but your advice is appreciated.

[Justyn]

Great questions and I'd be interested to see what the guru's inform you about this process. I'm attempting to do something similar with an out of state client who has DV editing capability but not HD. I was hoping to offline the HD clips to mini DV as I do know that this is a possibility. My additional question to add is.. does the timecode data from the corresponding HD transfer to the mini DV footage and EVEN BETTER...is it possible to have a TC window burn on the footage. From my client's offline EDL or reassembled DV sequence, I wanted to conform the HD footage on my system and send him a final project on SD DVD, Harddrive for archiving till blue-ray comes on line, and possibly renting that expensive DVCPRO HD deck again. So expensive. A one day rental in town is 600.

Anyway, congrats on your new project and keep us up to date on your workflow.


Justyn

[KnowReason]

Window Burns woudl actually make a huge difference. I'm choosing not to go the Mini DV route for the amount of footage I will have. Shooting a doc on P2HD can ad some pressure; but it's no different (in terms of ratios and mindset) than shooting on film it seems.

One of the advantages touted about this system is that you actually reduce Storage Costs and Tape Costs. and In this instance I will. However we do need a software, let's call it "Assistant Editor", that can do some these things like an offline converison with a window burn and retained metadata, the ability to trim or splice source clips independent of an NLE, Generating a Cut list in tandem with Final Cut.

About retaining the timecode from HD on MiniDV, I suppose maybe certain modes of HD, like 24Pn, could have 3:2:2:3 transfer done as long as there were a standard EDL that both systems could reference.

And that DVCPRO HD Deck is way expensive to rent. You've gotta be kidding me. That's probably the number reason I can't get my clients budgets down enough for them to bite on DVCPROHD. I'm hoping this will change with HVX.